Formica -
Fletcher Building Invests £40m into Formica Group’s European HQ in North Shields

Fletcher Building - High Pressure Laminate - Made in Britain

Formica Group, the original inventor of High Pressure
Laminate (HPL), officially opened its European HQ on the
North Shields site on 6th June.

To celebrate the opening of the new head office and improved
manufacturing plant, dignitaries, customers and the media were
invited to usher in the next era of Formica Group’s 104-year-old
history.

As part of its strategy to grow the business and remain
competitive, Formica Group is investing £40million into staff
and facilities in its strongest market, the UK, over the next
three years.

The investment sees the installation of new machinery and
technology to create a state-of-the-art laminate manufacturing
plant in North Shields, which is celebrating over 70 years of
operation this year.

Speaking at the official opening of the new European HQ,
Peter Rush, President of Formica Group Europe, comments: "When
it comes to UK manufacturing, we know Formica Group has the
credentials to be a world leader. As the only global laminate
brand the investment is a step forward in fulfilling our
potential. In addition to improving our laminate production we
are also focused on increasing our sales, as the doubling of our
UK sales team indicates."

Driving innovation and increased production, the investment
will improve operational performance, including better service
levels, shorter lead times, and improved visibility and
communication of product availability.

Arlen Pettitt, Policy Advisor, North East England Chamber of
Commerce, comments: "The investment is a vote of confidence for
the North East and shows a brand with a rich heritage in the
region moving forward to increase its competitiveness and
productivity in the global market. The modernisation of the
office and factory is a reaction to the changing market place
and shows a signal of intent, along with the initiatives like
their apprenticeship scheme, for a long and successful future in
the region."

Fletcher Building, Formica Group’s parent company, decided to
invest in the plant shortly after the UK vote to leave the EU.
Formica Group’s UK management team views Brexit as an
opportunity for the manufacturer to become more competitive in
Europe, while at the same time making the UK a less competitive
market to its rival European manufacturers.

The investment also sees Formica Group HQ return to its
original UK location on Coast Road, having been relocated to
Cobalt Business Park in 2008. The art-deco Formica building in
North Shields which opened in 1946 has been refurbished to
become the company’s new European HQ, having formally been the
UK HQ.

The manufacturing operation is now centralised and under the
same roof as the sales, marketing and management teams. In
addition, a new Fabrication Support Unit training area and
programme is being launched to assist Formica Group’s customers.

Formica Group is the only UK laminate manufacturer to be
aligned with Made in Britain, an organisation designed to
promote and celebrate the manufacture of UK-made goods.

John Pearce, Chief Executive, Made in Britain, comments:
"Building upon its 100 year legacy, Formica Group’s investment
is about increasing its UK market share and providing stability
both in terms of pricing and manufacturing. Made in Britain is
part of the support story for stability and we are pleased to
help Formica Group in the provision of a network and community
to help sales."